Bulgaria and the US agreed on the positioning of foreign troops in three Bulgarian military bases, despite the public disapproval, Reuters news agency reported.

The US would use such bases to position its troops closer to hotspots in the Middle East and Africa, the agency reported. Each Bulgarian base will accommodate up to 3000 US soldiers.

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is expected to sign the agreement during her visit to Bulgaria in April. Rice will attend a NATO summit in Sofia.

US troops will use the Bezmer aviation base, Novo Selo base and Graf Ignatievo airport. Troops will also use storage facilities close to the Black Sea city of Bourgas. The agreement will be signed for a 10-year period.

Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and is eager to show its ability to be a stable NATO ally, Reuters reported. It will permit the military training of foreign troops in national bases, despite the negative public opinion.

Ultra-nationalist movement Ataka started a campaign against the foreign bases. A survey shows nearly 60 per cent of the Bulgarians oppose the agreement.

The bases, however, will provide foreign investment and open new work positions, Reuters reported.